Pakistan disappointed at ball tampering charges

London, June 15 (IANS) Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam is disappointed at allegations of ball tampering in the team’s six wicket win over New Zealand in the World Twenty20 at The Oval Saturday. It has now emerged that New Zealand team members spoke to match officials to verify if Umar Gul’s 5-6 haul was achieved fairly. But match officials assured New Zealand they had no concerns over Pakistan’s conduct.

“It is disappointing to hear these things. Umar is a fantastic bowler,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Alam as saying.

The issue turned out to be an unpleasant reminder of Pakistan’s forfeited Test at the same venue three years ago when they refused to take the field after in protest over a five-run penalty meted out by umpire Darrell Hair, who believed the ball had been tampered with.

Alam hailed Gul’s achievement of claiming the first five-wicket haul in a Twenty20 innings.

“Not everyone can bowl a reverse ball,” he said. “You’ve got to have a special ability to do that. He’s quick and his action makes a lot of difference.”